This next installment of "Adventures of a New Seattle-ite" is expressly to make this announcement.

I HAVE FURNITURE.

so happy.

That's right, ladies and gentlemen. I have a bed. I'm no longer sleeping like a minimalist caveman while hugging the bare floor. If I roll a little too far, I'll actually have a height to fall from (or I'll squash my nose against the wall).

The bed and mattress are all thanks to my amazing mom, who went to Ikea with me to buy it. Three months into living in Seattle, I have a nice comfy bed that feels oh so good to fall asleep in. Sometimes I roll around on it just to feel the luxuriousness.

As someone just moving into a new place without bringing any furniture, I thought I'd give some tips on how to procure furniture for any that might find themselves in the same situation.

1). Friends -- I have a couch/futon because a friend of mine was moving out. I also have maybe five pots because various people have hand-me-downed them. Nothing wrong with having a few extra saucepans to bang around and feel all important in the kitchen.

2). Yard sales -- Seattle (and probably any neighborhood in general) is rife with these in the summer. I've taken to bringing around my big canvas bag instead of a small purse whenever I go walking/exploring because I almost always stumble upon a yard sale...and yard sales are my weakness. They always have books for really cheap...or small knick-knacks...And if you come upon them near the end of the day, sometimes they're desperate and practically giving away things.

Whenever someone says yard/garage sale, I ALWAYS think of this episode from Animaniacs.

3). Estate sales -- I went to my first Estate sale today...but I think it will be my last. The upside is that in an estate sale, they're selling everything in the house. You can usually get a hold of cool furniture or unusual items for very cheap. The downside is that they sell these things because the person in the house/apartment has died and they either have no close friends or family, or their family isn't able to take care of their affairs for one reason or another. I found it very sad...I'm sure that when I'm dead, I'll be up in heaven watching a rerun of my greatest hits while lounging on a couch made of clouds. But I still found it very sad to be at the Estate sale and have people make their assumptions about a person as the summation of what was left behind.

4). Street corners -- This may sound sketchy, but sometimes people just leave stuff on the side of the street. I've picked up a few items this way -- a couple chairs, a mug, and my coffee table. I'm always afraid that someone might leave something at the side of the road because they're coming back in a few minutes to load it into their truck...and so I'm unwittingly stealing something (if that's the case, maybe I'll see that scene in my greatest hits replay as well and we can all have a retrospective laugh about it)...but thus far, I haven't had anyone come running after me with cries of "Thief!! Asian ninja thief!!!" so I think I'm okay....I think.

A digression on this last point -- it always helps to have big muscles. I found the coffee table a couple blocks away from where I live, but it's good it wasn't any farther. The table is almost as tall as I am, and I had to muster all of my puny strength to carry it home (and up three flights of stairs). On my way home, I must have cut a pathetic figure because a stranger asked me worriedly if I needed any help with that because "that looks awfully heavy". I replied back (after setting down the table for a quick breather...and also because I didn't think I could hold it and talk at the same time): "No...it's not heavy, I'm just weak. But thank you anyway."

That's how I roll.

Carrying it all the way home gave me a rather fulfilling sense of accomplishment though. Everyone who sees it now can't believe I carried it home on my own. I'm stronger than I look! I'm a strong Asian Ninja Thief!

5). "As-is" section in Ikea -- Ikea is a pretty magical place. And you can find Ikea furniture anywhere - when people are moving out for the first time, when new couples are furnishing their first home together, when guys are fixin up their bachelor pads. Why? Because it's pretty darn cheap for furniture and not too shabby to the eyes. And while Ikea usually gives you a pretty good deal anyway, you should always always check out their "as-is" section which has all of their furniture for huge markdowns...sometimes it's because the furniture has some defects (ie scratches or it may be missing a part) or because it was used in the display, or if it was returned with some marks. In any case, that's where I got both my bedframe and my mattress....both marked down to less than 50% of their original price.

The challenge to this is that sometimes the furniture is already put together and can be rather cumbersome to move (and impossible to fit into certain vehicles). But if you find a set or many different pieces, you can just get Ikea to deliver for you. Their base delivery fee is $60, regardless of how much you want them to deliver...and then you can get all the big muscled guys to traipse up and down the three flights of stairs for you instead.

That's right, slave. Carry me around.

6). Craigslist -- oh craigslist...my place to find furniture and post up music lessons and a job hunt all at once. As mentioned before in my adventures, I've tried numerous times to take advantage of their "free" section (usually to failure). But sometimes you can get items and furniture for dirt cheap because people need to get rid of stuff in a hurry. Maybe they're on the run from the law and need to get out of dodge...but usually because they're moving far away and can't take stuff with them. I got my dining table and a set of five chairs for 10$ from craigslist. Yup.

7). The kindness of others -- When I first moved in, I mentioned that my neighbors were kind enough to temporarily lend me a table, an air mattress, and a chair. I've since returned all of the items except for the one chair. It's just...so comfy. And I don't need it...but it was just folded up in the closet of my neighbor, so maybe she doesn't need it either? Kind neighbor, if you're reading this, you can have the chair back if you want...but if you don't want...can I just keep it?...

Well, that's all the wisdom I have to impart for today. And always remember, kids: nothing beats the price of free.

Elaine- You popped in my head recently and even though we haven't kept in touch I felt very compelled to pray for you. Didn't know what to pray for exactly so I just stuck to the blessings. I did some digging and I came across this. It sounds like you're having another exciting adventure in Seattle. I'm happy for you.
I'm going to keep praying for you because you are a very special person. Whatever you do, wherever you go keep slaying those dragons.

Reply

elaine

9/26/2012 04:08:24 pm

Thanks, AJ!! I hope you're doing well and that you're having your own adventures in Korea. :D I am praying for you as well!!!